On Saturday, June 11th 2016 the Islip Fire Department held a ceremonial wet down and dedication service at the Islip Town Docks on Maple Street to christen our new fireboat 3-4-26. The new fireboat is a 32' vessel capable of SCUBA and surface rescue, marine firefighting, and medical services at the advanced life support level. This vessel is vital to the departments ability to provide the highest level of assistance and safety to the people who frequent the waters in and around the Islip Fire District. This boat replaces a 23' rigid hull inflatable zodiac that the department far outgrew and was unsafe for our members to operate on. Today with the assistance of the East Islip, Bay Shore, and West Islip Fire Departments 3-4-26 was wet down in the canal. The keys to the boat were officially turned over by BOFC Chairman Fred Hermann to the Islip Fire Department Chiefs Office who then passed them off to Marine Division Leader Nick Antonelli. After being blessed by department chaplain Bruce Daly the boat was then christened by having a champagne bottle broken on the bow. It was an honor to have the boat christened by Gina Lieneck and her daughter Danyelle. Gina's daughter and Danyelle's sister Brianna Lieneck was tragically killed in a boating collision in the Great South Bay on August 17th 2005. Brianna was only 11 years old when she lost her life. Her mother Gina was critically injured in that same accident and was transported by Islip Fire Department crews on board the former 3-4-26 from the scene. Gina and her family continue to advocate for boating and marine safety and helped in our acquisition of this vessel. We thank the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Boat Committee, Chiefs Office, USCG, Islip Town Harbor Patrol, the residents of the Islip Fire District, our neighboring fire departments as well as Silver Ships Incorporated who built this vessel.
